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Compare any two UK universities

Select any two universities below and we'll generate an instant, data-driven comparison — rankings, salaries, student satisfaction, international community, and more.

I
Imperial College London

Kensington and Chelsea · QS World #2

L
Loughborough University

Loughborough · QS World #203

Head-to-Head Summary

Based on 11 datapoints

We looked at 11 data points — world rankings, student satisfaction, graduate salaries, employment rates, and more — to see which university scores higher in each category.

9/11

Imperial College London

scored higher in 9 categories

VS

2/11

Loughborough

scored higher in 2 categories

Quick Verdict

Imperial College London leads in 9 of 11 categories where both have data (ranking, Russell Group, established, satisfaction, international, graduate salary, scholarship). Loughborough University is ahead on employment, courses.

Imperial College London vs Loughborough University at a glance

Imperial College London and Loughborough University both teach 31 subject areas, the largest being Computer Science, Mathematics and Physics. Imperial College London offers 254 courses across 42 subject areas; Loughborough University offers 416 courses across 63 subject areas.

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Imperial College London is about £5,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Loughborough University is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Of the 13 subject areas both teach where each publishes a graduate salary, Imperial College London is higher in 13 and Loughborough University in 0. The widest gap is in Computer Science: £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, against £40,500 from Loughborough University. Of the 12 subject areas both teach where each publishes a student satisfaction score, Imperial College London is higher in 7 and Loughborough University in 5.

World & National Rankings

Compare world and national league table positions, TEF ratings, and Russell Group membership.

#2
QS World
#203
#8
THE World
#301
#5
Guardian UK
#11
1907
Established
1909
Yes
Russell Group
No
Gold
TEF Rating
Gold

Visual Breakdown

Key metrics at a glance

Longer bars indicate better performance. Metrics include student satisfaction, graduate salaries, and more.

Imperial College London

Loughborough University

88.9%
87.6%

Satisfaction

Student satisfaction with teaching (NSS Survey, out of 100%)

£54,000
£41,200

Graduate Salaries (5y)

Median graduate salary 5 years after graduation

81.4%
84%

Employment

Graduate employment rate

52.9%
18.4%

International

International student share

254
416

Course Counts

Number of courses offered

90
36

Scholarships

Number of scholarships

International Community

Where do international students come from?

Top source countries based on official HESA enrolment data. A higher diversity of nationalities often means a richer campus experience.

Imperial College London

106 countries · 52.9% international

  • 🇨🇳China41%
  • 🇮🇳India5.8%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong5.1%
  • 🇲🇾Malaysia3.6%
  • 🇸🇬Singapore3.6%
VS

Loughborough

90 countries · 18.4% international

  • 🇨🇳China24.7%
  • 🇮🇳India13.2%
  • 🇭🇰Hong Kong4.6%
  • 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates3.7%
  • 🇳🇬Nigeria3.4%

Subjects

31 subjects you can study at both

Courses listed at each university in the subject, and the typical (median) international fee a year. Select a count to see the courses.

Imperial College London

Loughborough University

Also taught at both: Finance & Actuarial Science, General Engineering, Physical Geography & Climate, Business & Management (General), Business Studies, Economics, Building & Construction, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Health Sciences & Paramedic Science, Public Health & Epidemiology, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Biotechnology, Clinical Specialities, Human Geography & Environment, Applied Biology & Human Biology.

Only at Imperial College London

Only at Loughborough University

Fees

What it costs international students

The typical (median) international tuition fee a year across each university's published course fees. Individual courses vary; each course page shows its own fee.

Undergraduate

Imperial College London
£24,600
Loughborough University
£29,750

Imperial College London is about £5,150 a year cheaper.

Postgraduate

Imperial College London
£39,900
Loughborough University
£29,500

Loughborough University is about £10,400 a year cheaper.

Outcomes

Graduate outcomes by subject

Median graduate salary three years after graduating, and student satisfaction with teaching, across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject. Source: Discover Uni.

Imperial College London

Loughborough University

  • Computer Science

    £64,000Salary (3 years)£40,500
    97%Satisfaction86%

  • Mathematics

    £53,500Salary (3 years)£31,000
    91%Satisfaction85%

  • Physics

    £44,000Salary (3 years)£30,500
    76%Satisfaction96%

  • Civil Engineering

    £35,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction87%

  • Chemistry

    £36,000Salary (3 years)£27,000
    89%Satisfaction85%

  • Electronic & Electrical Engineering

    £46,000Salary (3 years)£34,500
    82%Satisfaction90%

  • Biology

    £33,000Salary (3 years)£26,500
    88%SatisfactionNo data

  • Chemical Engineering

    £45,500Salary (3 years)£36,000
    89%Satisfaction95%

  • Materials Engineering

    £38,000Salary (3 years)£34,000
    79%Satisfaction88%

  • Biomedical Engineering

    £40,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    85%Satisfaction87%

  • General Engineering

    £46,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    90%Satisfaction86%

  • Aerospace Engineering

    £37,500Salary (3 years)£34,500
    92%Satisfaction87%

Showing the 12 largest of 13 shared subjects with published outcomes.

Scholarships for International Students

Exclusive

Imperial College London

Engineering Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Science Sainsbury Management Fellows Scholarship

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

J.P. Morgan Scholarship in Quantitative Finance

£45,100

Deadline: May 2026

Dean's Impact Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

W L "Bill" Byrnes Global Scholarship

£30,000

Deadline: N/A

View all scholarships →

Loughborough University

Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future Fellowships

£50,000

Deadline: N/A

Care Leaver's Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Commonwealth Scholarships

100%

Deadline: N/A

Global Impact Scholarship

100%

Deadline: N/A

Inspiring Success Scholarship

100%

Deadline: Jul 2026

View all scholarships →

FAQ

Imperial College London vs Loughborough University: common questions

Is Imperial College London or Loughborough University cheaper for international students?

For undergraduate study, the typical published international fee is £24,600 a year at Imperial College London and £29,750 at Loughborough University: Imperial College London is about £5,150 a year cheaper. For postgraduate study, the typical published international fee is £39,900 a year at Imperial College London and £29,500 at Loughborough University: Loughborough University is about £10,400 a year cheaper. These are medians of the international tuition fees each university publishes for its courses; the fee for a specific course is on its course page.

What subjects can you study at both Imperial College London and Loughborough University?

Both universities teach 31 subject areas: Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Design & Fashion, Manufacturing & Production Engineering, Electronic & Electrical Engineering, Biology, Chemical Engineering, Management, Materials Engineering and 19 more.

Is Imperial College London or Loughborough University better for Computer Science?

Computer Science graduates earn a median £64,000 three years after graduating from Imperial College London, and £40,500 from Loughborough University. Student satisfaction with teaching is 97% at Imperial College London and 86% at Loughborough University. Figures are medians across each university's undergraduate courses in the subject, from Discover Uni.

Does Imperial College London or Loughborough University offer more courses?

Loughborough University lists 416 courses on CourseOptions and Imperial College London lists 254 courses.

What can you study at Imperial College London but not at Loughborough University?

Imperial College London teaches 11 subject areas that Loughborough University does not, including Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences, Ecology & Conservation, Statistics, Astronomy & Astrophysics, Anatomy & Pathology, Healthcare Science, Medicine and 3 more.

What can you study at Loughborough University but not at Imperial College London?

Loughborough University teaches 32 subject areas that Imperial College London does not, including Sport & Exercise Sciences, English Studies, Media & Film Studies, Psychology (General), Sociology & Criminology, History, Natural Sciences, Childhood & Youth Studies and 24 more.

Ready to explore courses?

Browse available courses, check entry requirements, and find scholarships at each university.

I
Imperial College London254 courses · 90 scholarshipsBrowse Courses
L
Loughborough University416 courses · 36 scholarshipsBrowse Courses